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Gun group sues state over New York Safe Act

Gun Owners Rally in Albany

Pro-gun groups today filed a lawsuit against Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other leaders over the NY Safe Act, a set of stricter gun laws. In late February, thousands rallied at the Capitol in Albany against the laws.
(Photo by David Lassman | dlassman@syracuse.com)

Syracuse, N.Y. -- Gun advocates and groups from across the state -- including a sitting New York assemblyman and a gun manufacturer -- are suing Gov. Andrew Cuomo and law enforcement officials over the state's newly enacted gun control laws.

The suit, filed today in U.S. District Court in Buffalo, claims the law violates the plaintiffs' Second Amendment rights.

The plaintiffs include the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association -- which is affiliated with the National Rifle Association -- and the New York State Amateur Trapshooting Association from Bridgeport.

Assemblyman William Nojay, a Republican from the Rochester suburb of Pittsford, also is a plaintiff.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. He also will defend the state in the case. His office said today the attorney general has no comment on the specific lawsuit but said he would continue to defend the laws in court.

“The SAFE Act is a comprehensive law that is making New York communities safer, while ensuring constitutional protections to responsible gun owners," Schneiderman said in a statement. "My office will continue to aggressively defend the protections embodied in the law because every New Yorker deserves to live in a safe neighborhood free from the threat of gun violence.”